Manning Family Children’s earns Cribs for Kids Infant Safe Sleep Hospital certification

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS - Manning Family Children’s is proud to announce that is has achieved certification as a Gold Level Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital. This certification recognizes the hospital’s healthcare team members’ commitment to best practices in infant safe sleep, ensuring the highest standards of care for its youngest patients. By earning this certification, Manning Family Children’s demonstrates adherence to rigorous guidelines by the Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program.

Cribs for Kids® is a national safe sleep initiative dedicated to reducing infant mortality.

“Sleep related deaths are the number one reason we lose our babies each year—3,400 infants annually”, said Michael H. Goodstein, M.D., neonatologist and medical director at Cribs for Kids, adding, “we know that parents do at home what they see done in the hospital so modeling safe sleep and providing education to families will have an impact on infant mortality. Cribs for Kids® program recognizes hospitals making this commitment.”

In Louisiana, infant mortality remains a significant public health concern. According to recent data, approximately 392 infants die before their first birthday each year in the state and about 90 of those deaths are classified as sudden unexpected infant deaths, which includes sudden infant death syndrome, accidental suffocation and other sleep-related causes. Many of these deaths are linked to unsafe sleep environments, including infants sleeping with loose bedding, sharing sleep surfaces or sleeping outside of a crib or bassinet. Safe sleep practices, such as placing babies on their backs in their own sleep space without soft bedding or toys, can significantly reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths.

"Our team has worked diligently to meet the requirements to earn this certification and underscores our dedication to providing safe sleep care for our babies,” said Lindsey Casey, Chief Nursing Officer at Manning Family Children’s. “We are committed to ensuring that every newborn and infant at Manning Family Children’s receives the highest level of care, including promoting safe sleep practices that align with the guidelines of Cribs for Kids."

Judy Bannon, CEO, and founder of Cribs for Kids explains, “The National Infant Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program launched in 2015. It is rooted in the Safe Sleep Recommendations made by American Academy of Pediatrics and the research that demonstrates families do at home what they see done in the hospital. There are over 500 infant safe sleep certified hospitals across the country and beyond.  We are proud to welcome Manning Family Children’s to our program. It will have a profound effect on saving babies’ lives.”

For more information about Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program, visit, cribsforkids.org/hospitalcertification. To learn more Manning Family Children’s NICU expansion visit manningchildrens.org/newnicu.

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About Manning Family Children’s
Manning Family Children’s is a 263-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties, just for children. With more than 600 pediatric providers, Manning Family Children’s offers a comprehensive array of specialized pediatric services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, Children’s operates a network of specialty clinics across Louisiana, including in Covington, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Children’s offers primary care at 17 convenient locations, along with a network of statewide pediatric affiliations. Children’s is a proud member of LCMC Health, a Louisiana-based, not-for-profit hospital system which also includes New Orleans East Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center, East Jefferson General Hospital, Lakeview Hospital, and Lakeside Hospital. Learn more at manningchildrens.org.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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